Gideon James' Journey

This is a great read that is perfect for reflecting for this coming Holy Week . My co-egroup member Julie gave me permission to share her story. Please prepare some tissues for some happy tears :) ==== Unexpected Blessing  By: Julie J. Hunter  His name was Aaron , and I will never forget him. I was 16 years old and trying to hold down two jobs and finish my high school education. I babysat after school and on the weekends. My new job was an unbelievable opportunity. I was going to be the Easter Bunny at my local mall. Yes, you just read the words; I was the Easter Bunny. This opportunity was one of the most interesting jobs that I have ever had in my life. I mean, think about it I was being paid to "bounce"around the mall in a 7-foot fur covered rabbit suit, bringing smiles and giggles to children and adults of every age. Little did I realize that this job, this moment in my youth, would be one of the most rewarding of my life.  photo borrowed from co...

Two weekends ago, we were invited to my brother-in-law's birthday at their home. All the kids were excited to go swimming because the past few weeks since mid-February had been very, very hot.  While his brothers immediately plunged in the pool, we placed James ' stroller near it and let him watch first while we finish his tube-feeding session. (His feeding bag and pump were strapped inside the backpack behind the stroller). See how excited our little boy is!

Here's James, getting used to sitting upright by himself. With the help of the ChildRite Seat , here's praying that his neck and trunk muscles would soon be strong enough to support independent sitting. 

James loves words and letters. He enjoys being read to. He likes it when he hears people singing the alphabet or speaking in rhymes. He particularly gets excited when we show him big, bold letters on flash cards. The other night, Daddy and James played with letters. Our little boy seemed to have enjoyed seeing his name spelled out on the mat.

... James is also just a normal, happy kid. Daniel was goofing around with the camera a couple of weeks ago and I only recently uploaded the

Thanks to Diane , an online friend of mine from CA, who also has a special child with cerebral palsy, James now has a big Maclaren stroller we can use to take him out on a stroll. James and his brothers Here are more Trick or Treat pics taken during Halloween at Ayala Alabang Village ... And a couple more photos in Laguna when our clan got together during All Saints Day ...

The past 11 years were filled with ups and downs. But, what matters is that we still have James with us despite all the medical conditions, complications, and procedures he's been through. Here's thanking God for giving us another year of his life ... The boys in my life

One of James ' favorite activities is being in the water. Here are some shots taken in my sister's family's pool in Ayala Alabang ...